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Homemade Cough Syrup
October 11, 2021
Conventional cough syrups can be high in sugar and often don’t remedy a cough. Instead, try this homemade cough syrup recipe, which features raw honey, lemon juice and herbs that can help soothe the throat, boost the immune system and settle a cough.
Easy to mix together, this is a recipe for one day: three servings, taken morning, afternoon and before bed. It loaded with natural cough remedy ingredients and should knock out that cough by the time your heads hits the pillow!
Key Ingredients
Apple cider vinegar: Containing beneficial bacteria, ACV can help give your immune system a quick boost and also soothe your sore throat.
Garlic: If you can, use actual raw garlic in this recipe. Why? Allicin, a compound found in garlic, is known for its ability to kill the microorganisms that are responsible respiratory infections that can lead to coughing.
Lemon juice: High in vitamin C, lemons are also loaded with antioxidants that can help fight inflammation and promote improved immunity.
Raw honey: Working to relieve irritation, reduce inflammation and increase cytokine release, honey also provides immune-boosting antioxidants. In fact, studies show that a single dose of honey can reduce mucus secretion and coughs … and can be just as effective as diphenhydramine and dextromethorphan, common ingredients found in over-the-counter cough medicines.
Ginger: It carries powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, which makes it a go-to when dealing with respiratory tract infections.
Cinnamon: Containing natural antimicrobial, antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral properties, cinnamon is a welcome and tasty addition to a homemade cough syrup recipe!
Cayenne: With its anti-irritant properties, cayenne pepper can help ease coughs. In addition, it’s full of immune system–supporting beta carotene and antioxidants.
Also, give my Homemade Honey Herbal Cough Drops a try. (You can also adding a drop or two of essential oils like lemon, frankincense, peppermint and lavender, but you should consult your physician or health care provider before any internal consumption.)
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Homemade Cough Syrup
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 3 1x
Description
Try this homemade cough syrup recipe, which features raw honey, lemon juice and herbs that can help soothe the throat, boost the immune system and settle a cough.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1½ tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- ¼ teaspoon ground garlic (or 3 cloves, finely chopped)
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- small glass jar
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to the jar.
- Put cap on jar and shake contents thoroughly. (And do so before each time you consume.)
- Consume one-third of mixture (just over 1 tablespoon) for each serving.
- Place in refrigerator. (Let it sit out for around 10 minutes for each future use.)
Notes
Still have a cough on day 2? Make another batch!
- Prep Time: 5 min
Comments
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30 Comments
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Tastes good. Tried it twice. Unfortunately, I’m still coughing so it didn’t work for me.
Can you substitute lime for lemon?
Can you use lemon essential oil (I use doTerra) in place of lemon juice? If so, how much?
Love the simplicity of each web page.
Love the ease.
Love the format, both words & illustrations.
Can you freeze this for the next cold?
Great. It works
What is a good dosage for small children?
I’d like to know as well!
Thanks for the recipe! I’ve used a similar one but like the taste of this one better….just checking though, is that correct: 1 and 1/4 tsp ginger? That seems like a lot of ginger. Just wanted to be sure it wasn’t a typo. Thanks!!
Goodness, you are right Ilene, thank you! Should have been just 1/4 tsp. Fixed!
How long will this keep for?
This should keep for at least 3 months.
I had a bad cough that wouldn’t go away after covid (which had turned into a sinus infection with post nasal drip). I can’t believe how quickly it resolved with this syrup! I took one teaspoon at a time, and I felt differently from when I first took it. Took it twice yesterday evening, and I am barely coughing at all now! When I do, it is just to clear my throat, and not that compulsive type cough which makes you feel like you can’t breathe. Thank you!!!
Great news! That’s how it should work!
I can’t have raw acv as i am pregnant. Is there anything i could substitute with?
Good question. You can go with pasteurized, filtered ACV.
Did you make it with 1 and 1/4 tsp of ginger? Before the recipe was corrected?
Sorry, I meant to post this as a reply to Joan’s comment from January 3!
This is second time I made this cough syrup and it worked the first by then time I was the batch. And I made it again this morning and looking forward to its healing benefits. The only question is how often should this be taken?
How much peppermint ess oil can be used.in cough syrup
Like this formula
How often should you take this in a days time?
Thanks for this info. I also read pineapple helps a cough too.
I have an allergy to honey. Is there an alternative?
Maple syrup is a good alternative and has many benefits as well.
:D We had “hot toddies” with water, lemon, honey, and bourbon! (Just a tiny bit though) :D Mom also rubbed mentholatum or vicks on our chest and wrapoed a warm towel around our neck. Sounds silly, but it worked!
We didn’t have all of the wonderful information about essential oils that we do now…
What is the JJ Virgin diet?
I made the recipe small because I like to make up just enough to be used over 1-3 days. The jar is there to mix the ingredients in, not as much for long term storage. I think the recipe would be fine for longer periods of time, but it’s so easy and fast to make that I like to keep it fresh.
Most therapists recommend not swallowing oils because most oils are not certified pure therapeutic grade. You definitely don’t want to be consuming oils that are not at that standard. The oils that I recommend not only have this grade but also do 3rd party testing to assure the quality. For any more questions about the oils, please email me at [email protected]